The compelling factor that convinced Peyton Manning was not John Elway's legendary grin, or The Duke's confident swagger, or Elway's business savvy, or the facilities at Dove Valley, or the money, or the roster, or the offense and the defense, or the altitude and the attitude.

Manning ultimately decided the overall fit was perfect.

He liked owner Pat Bowlen and coach John Fox, the city of Denver, its people and a quality of living for his family. He liked the football environment, the franchise's tradition, the weather, the team's promise, a stadium where he has not lost in three appearances, the sellout crowds, the nearby mountains and the small-townlike similarities to Indianapolis, and maybe the return to orange jerseys — as he wore at the University of Tennessee.

"When he chose Tennessee, he went with his gut. He has done that again with Denver," a source close to Peyton told me Monday. "And he went with Elway."

Elway has walked that mile in Manning's shoes, thrown the approximate 30 miles in those cleats.

John was 36 once. He'd had shoulder surgery. He shredded his biceps tendon and didn't know when we talked after an exhibition game if he would ever play again.

He had rehabilitated his body. He was a Hall of Famer-in-waiting too, but worried, at an advanced football age, if he would play once more in a Super Bowl. There was even a time when he wondered where he would finish his career.

He wanted to go out on his terms, in style, as a winner. He was aware what it was like to have an owner who wanted to give him a final chance to succeed.

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He has been there and done that. John can relate to Peyton, Peyton to John.

They could talk man-to-Manning, and they understood. Great quarterback minds think alike. When John and Peyton sat down, they were equals.

As late as Sunday, Elway didn't know which team Manning was going to. He had done all he could. He didn't pressure Manning to make a decision because he wouldn't have made one, either, before he was ready. Elway had told Manning the Broncos wanted him, and the organization would do whatever it could to help Manning leave the game on top, not on his shield.

Elway was the difference-maker as an executive, just as he had been as a player.

I never should have doubted Elway in his resolve to lure Manning to Denver. We have all seen the dozens of comebacks, The Drive, The Helicopter, the Super Bowl victory at 37, another at 38, his return to the highest level of professional football before last season.

There were so many other intricate and important aspects of one of the most historic player acquisitions in NFL history. When the process began, the Broncos were considered longshots with a slingshot — David against goliaths in New York, San Francisco, Washington and Miami.

But Manning decided to visit Denver first. Elway low-keyed the approach during the discussions, answered the critical questions and asked the correct questions. On their follow-up trip to North Carolina last Friday to watch Manning's arm and examine his body, Elway was the calm catalyst. Other teams were eliminated early, and the Broncos became one of the four favorites, then three. When the Dolphins and the Cardinals were replaced by the Titans and the 49ers as contenders, the Broncos held steady and hoped.

Maybe the Titans were too intense with their owner and his lifetime employee guarantee. And, Peyton already had spent his time in Tennessee. The 49ers were not a comfortable choice for Manning. Coach Jim Harbaugh has total control of the offense, and Peyton wants to play against brother Eli in the Super Bowl, not in a wild-card playoff game. Miami was a vacation spot, and Arizona didn't feel right

The Broncos have salary cap space to bring in Manning teammates — center Jeff Saturday and tight end Dallas Clark — and won't be squeezed for funds after Manning signs. He can operate his high-octane, high-altitude offense with assistance from Mike McCoy, and the AFC West is there for the taking.

Of course, there will be controversy, but Tebowmania will be transformed into Manningmania.

The Broncos have exchanged one fascination, fixation, fervor and feeling for another. In one era, out with the other.

The Broncos have changed from run to pass, new to old, firestorm to perfect storm. From Will to Win to Way to Win.

Peyton Manning comes. So goes Tim Tebow.

Elway never had total faith in Tebow. He does have high-risk, higher-reward belief in Manning, because he has been Manning.

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